This year, Christmas Eve coincided with the lighting of the fourth candle of Advent.
In a few large towns and cities, authorities also organised the distribution of traditional meatless meals in the squares.
Thus, in the biggest Adriatic city of Split, 5,000 cod meals were handed out free of charge in Prokurative Square. Cod meals were also delivered in the capital city of Zagreb.
In the eastern city of Vinkovci, 1,500 meals of sardine and potato salad were distributed, primarily to residents with lower income.
In the biggest eastern city of Osijek, fish stew was prepared in the old town and handed out by the mayor and his aides to some 3,500 citizens.
In Dubrovnik, the mayor joined in the local traditional custom of extending best wishes walking from house to house and being accompanied by singers and musicians who performed Christmas carols.